Positive rates for Enterobius vermicularis eggs among preschool children in Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, Korea (2017-2021).

This study aimed to evaluate the positive rates for Enterobius vermicularis eggs among preschool children in Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, the Republic of Korea (Korea) over a period of 5 years (2017-2021). Perianal swab samples, obtained using cellotape, from 10,392 preschool children in 26 districts were examined microscopically for E. vermicularis eggs. The test results were notified through the local health center, and the families of children who tested positive were advised to provide them anthelmintics treatment. The annual positive rates were 5.0%, 5.2%, 4.4%, 2.2%, and 1.0% in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. The overall positive rate was higher in boys than in girls (P< 0.05), and children aged 5-7 years were at a higher risk of being infected than those aged 0-4 years (P< 0.05). Although the rates of infection by E. vermicularis in the survey area, Yeosu-si, were still in the 1% range , the results of this study suggest that they can be significantly reduced through continuous intervention centered around the test-treatment strategy.

Early activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 is associated with blood-brain barrier disruption after photothrombotic cerebral ischemia in rats.

BACKGROUND: The activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a critical event for disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) during cerebral ischemia. Among the MMPs, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expression were reported to be significantly elevated after the onset of ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate which one is more significant for BBB disruption in the photothrombotic cerebral ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g received focal cerebral ischemia by photothrombosis. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were assessed by gelatin zymography at various times from 2 h to 7 days. The BBB integrity was assessed using Evans blue dye with a spectrophotometric assay. FINDINGS: The Evans blue extravasation was increased within 2 h after cerebral ischemia, and was maximal at 12 and 24 h after the injury, and then gradually decreased. MMP-9 protein activity was detected as early as 2 h after the focal ischemic event; it rapidly increased at 6 h after ischemia, and reached a maximum level 48 h after the ischemic event. Thereafter, the MMP-9 level abruptly decreased and returned to the baseline at 72 h after the insult. By contrast, the MMP-2 protein activity was up-regulated at 6 h after the focal ischemic insult, and reached a maximum level at 72 h after the event. The elevated MMP-2 levels persisted for 7 days after the injury. CONCLUSIONS: The early activation of MMP-9 was correlated with the increase in the permeability of the BBB. Our findings suggest that MMP-9 is the key factor involved in BBB disruption and subsequent brain injury after photothrombotic cerebral ischemia in rats.